Rolex Milgauss discontinued

It was discussed for a long time, and in the first quarter of 2023, the time finally came: Rolex discontinued the Milgauss . While the Swiss watch giant used Watches & Wonders as an opportunity to highlight eagerly anticipated new releases, the Milgauss disappeared from the Rolex website. A good reason to take a look back and explore the history of this special watch for scientists and engineers. At the same time, we would like to highlight the options available to anyone who would like to purchase a Milgauss model despite discontinued production.

History of the Rolex Milgauss: A Look Back

With the Rolex Milgauss, the name says it all: The watch can easily withstand magnetic influences of up to 1,000 gauss without sustaining damage. This is something not every mechanical watch can claim. Not today, and certainly not in the 1950s, when these special Rolex models were developed and first released.

History and development of the Rolex Milgauss

At the time the watch was conceived, it was foreseeable that electromagnetic influences would play an increasing role as technology advanced. Since conventional mechanical watches often stopped working at as little as 50 gauss, the need arose for a watch more resistant to electromagnetic waves: the idea for the Milgauss was born. The first prototype of the robust watch was presented as early as 1954, but the official release of the "magnetic field-resistant" Rolex watches did not follow until 1956.

The first Milgauss watch presented to the public was Ref. 6541 and already featured ferromagnetic alloys, which remained integral to the models until the end. These materials form a kind of protective shield around the movement, ensuring it remains unaffected by magnetic fields. According to the manufacturer, the first references were used by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva.

Significance of the Rolex Milgauss within the Rolex collection

Rolex gives sailors the Yacht-Master , pilots enjoy the Air-King , racing drivers have their Cosmograph Daytona "John Mayer" or " Paul Newman " and the brand meets the needs of divers with various models from the Submariner to the Deep Sea . It is therefore not too far-fetched to also offer special watches for scientists and engineers. This is precisely the place that the Milgauss occupied, appealing not only to people who actually came into contact with strong magnetic fields, but also to watch enthusiasts and collectors with a penchant for the unusual. Nevertheless: even when the models first went on sale, general interest was limited and this has hardly changed up to the present. The Milgauss had and still has its fans, but it has always been in the shadow of more famous Rolex models, such as the Day-Date , the Explorer or the Datejust.

Reasons for hiring: An analysis

After the Rolex Milgauss had to take a break between 1988 and 2007, the current production discontinuation is certainly not one of the biggest surprises the watch industry has come up with in 2023. In 1988, the brand justified its departure from the Milgauss watches with the comparatively weak sales figures. But is that still the reason Rolex is removing the model from its range today? Quite possible. After all, there are now strong competitors that far surpass the Rolex Milgauss in terms of its former unique selling point – resistance to magnetic fields – and are also more affordable. Just consider the anti-magnetic Omega Aqua Terra , which withstands up to 15,000 gauss.

For some watch enthusiasts, the rather solid-looking model, which is over 13 mm thick, may simply have been too bulky, and the Milgauss's signature orange lightning bolt hand certainly isn't to everyone's taste. The discontinuation of production could well have had something to do with the watches' performance on the market—but we can't know for sure.

Alternatives and Heirlooms: The Search for the Rolex Milgauss

For some collectors, the disappearance of the Milgauss has awakened even more of a desire to own this or a similar watch. Since it's no longer possible to purchase it from the manufacturer, the only alternatives are alternatives or purchases on the gray market.

Presentation of alternatives for watch lovers

The most obvious alternative to the Rolex is the aforementioned Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, whose prices start at just under €6,000 depending on the reference. Significantly more expensive, but also antimagnetic and, above all, incredibly stylish, is the Geophysic 1958 from Jaeger-LeCoultre , which unfortunately doesn't boast ideal availability due to its strictly limited edition. Another option is the Panerai Luminor Submersible Amagnetic made of titanium, which is protected against electromagnetic waves by a soft iron cage and is available, for example, with a muted green dial.

Market for used Milgauss models

One possible option for anyone who owns an original Milgauss and doesn't want to resort to an alternative is to search for a reasonably affordable model on the secondary market . As we've seen countless times with other models, the discontinuation of production has also boosted demand for the Milgauss.

How much does a Rolex Milgauss cost on the grey market?

Accordingly, the prices paid today for one of the listed watches are sometimes significantly higher than what was usual just a year ago. Of course, the costs vary depending on the reference and also depend on the condition of the watches from the Swiss manufacturer. The Milgauss Ref. 116400GV-0001 with a black dial, for example, is available starting at around €13,000.

Conclusion

Originally developed for scientists and engineers, the Rolex Milgauss was always a very special model that had its fans, but couldn't compete with Rolex icons like the Day-Date, the Cosmograph Daytona, or the Datejust. Nevertheless, the discontinuation of production may have been a disappointment for many collectors. The good news: Those who take some time to search and are open to different references have a chance of snagging a well-preserved Milgauss on the secondary market.